SEC Brings Crisis-Era Suits: The agency sued several former executives of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, alleging they misrepresented exposure to subprime loans. Fannie and Freddie agreed to cooperate without admitting or denying wrongdoing.

China Property Prices Decline: Average property prices in Chinese cities saw a second consecutive monthly drop in November, in a further sign that Beijing’s two-year tightening campaign to cool the red-hot property market is having an impact.

A Push to Turn ‘For Sale’ Into ‘Sold’: Some retirement communities are eager to help you sell your house, offering home-staging and repair services and no-interest bridge loans to help get you out of your space and into theirs.

Moving to Costa Rica: Costa Rica’s inexpensive living and gorgeous surroundings made it easier for one expat to retire early.

Readers Respond: Laying Down the Law on Vacation Homes: People who have second homes in desirable locales can find themselves overrun with family and friends. Readers give their advice on how to deal with requests to visit while retaining your friends—most of them, anyway—and your sanity.